Will Monroe get another big voter turnout for Nov. 6 elections?

Friday

Oct 12, 2012 at 8:28 AM

Four years ago around this time, there were lawn signs of candidates Barack Obama and John McCain peppered around the region of Smithfield, Middle Smithfield and Lehman townships, along Route 209 and Hollow and River roads in Monroe County and on State Route 2001/Milford Road in Pike County.

Four years ago around this time, there were lawn signs of candidates Barack Obama and John McCain peppered around the region of Smithfield, Middle Smithfield and Lehman townships, along Route 209 and Hollow and River roads in Monroe County and on State Route 2001/Milford Road in Pike County.

As those days went by, the signs quickly increased.

But with less than a month to the Nov. 6 presidential election, only a few can be seen so far for either President Barack Obama or Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

One reason is that in the state of Pennsylvania, at least, the Democratic lawn signs cost $5 each, according to Smithfield resident John Siptroth, a Democrat and former state representative of the 189th District.

Monroe Democratic Party Chairwoman Anne Tiracchia pointed out that because there is a charge for the signs, there is a little more care about where they are placed so they won't be moved or stolen.

"Not the Republican side. Ours is free," said Josephine Ferro, immediate past chairwoman of the party and Republican state committeewoman for Monroe County. "And you'll see more of them out there over the next couple of weeks."

Youthful zeal missing

"As far as the excitement in the Republican Party, it's certainly there," said Monroe County Republic Party Chairman Tom Geffers. "There are not too many signs yet and it's certainly more quiet than in 2008, but I've been on the college campuses locally, and there's no enthusiasm with young voters and students. I spoke to a political science class (at ESU) last week, and there's no excitement at all. I was told there's only about five students or so who started a Democratic Club and close to 20 who started a college Republican Club,

But Geffers also pointed out that his "committee people are working at post offices and handing out stuff to people, and it's all positive as far as enthusiasm and being ready for a change.

"Officially we're looking at the 2004 model as far as turnout," Geffers said. "It's good now; 2008 was better in that respect. Monroe was up to 60 percent (voting) in 2008, but we're looking at 55 percent or so (this time). I do not see the 2008 enthusiasm and turnout for sure, but it's going to be business as usual for the grass roots getting out to vote. We have to appeal to the Independents, the Democrats. It's all positive in my mind."

Not everyone agrees on that.

"I don't see the enthusiasm out there," Siptroth said. "And I don't see the enthusiasm from either side."

Ferro says, however, her phone calls have doubled since the first presidential debate when Obama's perceived lackluster performance gave Romney the edge. Geffers calls that debate "huge; it's a whole new campaign."

"From my experience in the last month, as coalition coordinator, not a day goes by that my phone doesn't ring from people asking to get involved for electing Mitt Romney," Ferro said. "I see more excitement in this election that I did not see in 2008 for McCain."

On the national view, it remains uncertain at this point whether the voter turnout will match the 2008 elections in which 54 percent of the electorate went to the polls, a 5 million increase in voters from the previous election. Long voter lines in the area led to waits for as long as three hours at the Lehman Township Municipal Building in late morning that day.

A more realistic mood

"The mood is more realistic than it was four years ago," Tiracchia said. "Four years ago, the enthusiasm almost approached hysteria. We had unrealistic expectations as to how much Obama could accomplish. Now it's more sobering, but they (voters) are just as much concerned about the country and the fear of the Democrats going backward with Romney and people who were advising (former President George W.) Bush to be reinstated.

"As we get closer to election, enthusiasm is starting to ramp up and people need to get out and vote," said Tiracchia.

She said that the voter ID controversy "galvanized" many Democrats.

Both parties' Monroe headquarters are in Stroudsburg, along with an Obama re-election headquarters.

"I tend to hang around with people who are like minded, but I am also in the business community with my insurance work, and the overriding issue is definitely the economy," Geffers said. "We're mirroring what's happening nationwide and statewide. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They're anxious for a change, to flip the switch and get a new direction."

Siptroth said that the slumbering housing industry and high cost of gas that has bogged down the recovery from the recession falls on Obama's shoulders. "Things did get a little worse, but it's getting better now. But it's not that rapid move from the recession like when (former President Bill) Clinton got in office."

Looking back

Siptroth said the problem stretches back before the midterm elections when Republicans took control of the House.

"I do not think he (Obama) exercised what he could do for this country when he had control of the chambers. When you're not in control, it's very difficult to get things across," Siptroth said. "I saw that happening in Harrisburg. Without full control of Washington, he will have a difficult four years."

Ultimately, it is the voters who will weigh many things as they press the lever.